Exercise shapes redox signaling in cancer

Area of Science:

• Exercise oncology
• Molecular mechanisms of exercise in cancer

Background:

• Convincing evidence indicates exercise reduces cancer progression and recurrence, especially in colon and breast cancer.
• Positive effects are linked to vigorous exercise (≥6 METs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the redox-sensitive molecular mechanisms underlying exercise's anti-cancer effects.
• To highlight exercise as an adjuvant therapy in cancer care.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental and clinical studies on exercise and cancer.
• Focus on molecular pathways, including redox status, immune system, metabolism, hormones, inflammation, and angiogenesis.

Main Results:

• Vigorous exercise modulates immune, metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and redox pathways, reducing tumor growth.
• Redox mechanisms are key to exercise's therapeutic benefits.
• Exercise combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy enhances anti-cancer responses.

Conclusions:

• Exercise, particularly vigorous activity, acts as an effective adjuvant therapy for improving cancer outcomes.
• Understanding molecular mechanisms of exercise in cancer can advance patient care.